Just in response to the numbers of outlets in homes. We've a 4-bed house in Ireland, just did a rough count of number of circuits and sockets (outlets)
Master bedroom : 4 doubles (8 outlets)
Bedroom 1: 3 doubles (6 outlets)
Bedroom 2: 2 doubles (4 outlets)
Bedroom 3: 2 doubles (4 outlets)
Bedroom area Hallway : 1 double (2 outlets)
Main Hallway : 2 doubles (4 outlets)
Sitting room : 4 doubles (8 outlets)
Dining room : 2 doubles (4 outlets)
Living room : 3 doubles (6 outlets)
Kitchen : 7 doubles (14 outlets)
Utility room : 3 doubles (6 outlets)
Garage : 1 double (2 outlets)
Basement : 1 double (2 outlets)
Attic : 1 double (2 outlets)
12 radial socket circuits - mix of 20A and 16A MCBs
The kitchen takes 3 of these.
Utility room takes 2.
Other rooms take 1 each
+ some miscellaneous for hallways / garage etc.
That's the original layout as per 1976, the distribution panel was upgraded a few years ago.
Total loading is actually pretty small, it's just handy to have outlets where you need them!
Also, there's absolutely no way you can overload an Irish panel as there's a master-breaker which will trip if you ever try to run more than the designed supply. (typically 63A, 80A or 100A)
Main fuse / master breaker has always been required. It saves any risk of people blowing the service fuse as it will react quite fast.
Also, the new Irish regs have banned the use of ring circuits in kitchens / utility rooms.
They're generally not used in most installations here, but they are technically permitted. They're just not the 'done thing'.
Last edited by djk; 05/29/09 07:34 PM.
